PITTSBURGH — Much of the early season questions about the Cubs have focused on an inconsistent bullpen and a surprisingly quiet offense. However, after responding to a four-game losing streak by winning the next four before falling on Sunday afternoon, both those units have looked much more like the groups most expected coming into the season.

After averaging just 3.8 runs in the first 13 games of the season, the offense has awoken from its early slumber to average 7.8 runs per over their last five. During that same stretch, the bullpen has started to gel as well, posting a 1.83 ERA in 19 2/3 innings pitched with a 33.8 percent strikeout rate.

But despite the nice stretch of play overall as a team, the Cubs starting rotation is struggling to repeat its dominant performance from 2016. The last turn through the rotation, Cubs starters are averaging a tick over five innings per start and have a 8.20 ERA. Each starter has given up a home run over the last five...

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